Minister lauds contribution of private institutions to education sector

Water Resources Minister M B Patil said private educational institutions, including those of religious mutts, have strengthened education system by providing parallel infrastructure to complement the government initiatives.

He was speaking after inaugurating the new building of the JSS High School at Shivarathreeshwara Nagar in Bannimantap here on Monday. However, he said that with all the best of the infrastructure, schools could be rendered useless if there are no dedicated teachers.

“A palatial building like the Amba Vilas Palace can be converted into a college with all facilities and attract students from all over the world, but if we fail to get the best of the teachers, the building will have no value. So, the role of teachers in moulding the future of students is vital. Our ‘Guru Parampare’ is only an endorsement to the importance of teachers in the society,” he said.

He recalled the contribution of the Wadiyar kings of the Yadu dynasty in providing education to the rural masses and also to the downtrodden. Patil said various mutts have furthered the cause. Besides providing food to all devotees in the form of ‘Anna Dasoha’, the mutts are involved in ‘Vidya Dasoha’ by establishing various educational institutions, he added.

“Mother tongue should be the medium of instruction in education. However, English should also be taught as a language effectively. English serves as a tool to face the competitive global world. Children with English knowledge will have an advantage in building their career,” he said.

MLA Tanveer Sait, who inaugurated the computer laboratory of the school, said government schools should compete with private schools in imparting quality education to increase enrolment of students.

Suttur seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami, Mayor R Lingappa, Deputy Mayor Mahadevamma, Vijayapura Zilla Panchayat President Umesh M Kolakura, JSS University Vice-Chancellor Dr B Suresh, Corporators K V Mallesh, B K Pushpavathi Dhanraj and ex-MLA Guruswamy were present.